Antibodies from egg to become major focus for biotech firm

The biotech company runs two major operations: an egg-breaking facility where eggs are washed and separated for regular distribution as a bakery ingredient; and a separation facility where the company extracts antibodies from egg yolk. IRI's new distribution agreement, with Vanderpol's Eggs Ltd (VEL), will see VEL take over on the distribution and sale of all liquid and frozen egg products from its Airdrie egg-breaking facility. This will allow IRI Separation Technologies to focus on its separation operations, which is the core part of its business, said John Mason, IRI president and CEO. IRI, which specializes in the extraction of polyclonal immunoglobulin antibodies, said it will continue to use egg yolk from its egg breaking facility, which will be transferred to the company's separation plant for extraction. The antibodies, derived from chicken eggs, are intended for use as a nutraceutical for human consumption. Immunoglobulins (Ig) are powerful antibodies produced in healthy humans and other animals to fight infections and prevent disease. ​The company explains that Immunoglobulin G (IgG) accounts for 75 percent of the total immunoglobulin found in the plasma of healthy individuals. However, another class of immunoglobulin - IgY - is found in egg yolks and is the functional equivalent of IgG, it said. The company said it intends to market the ingredient for use in foods - initially as a yolk protein isolate. It ultimately plans to take it to natural health products that can make health claims, but said that it will take some time to receive necessary regulatory approvals.